Shanghai’s Cool Docks

The Cool Docks are eastern China’s equivalent of New York’s Upper East side or London’s West End. Sitting behind the Huangpu River and built on Shilinpu, The Docks are one of those rare places in Shanghai where one can stroll at a pace that isn’t dictated by the mass of jostling crowds.

While you wonder around the red brick courtyard, soaking in the fresh air, listening to the opera music blaring out of the invisible speakers (urgh!) and drooling over the fancy shop fronts, you’ll realise how Westernised the whole place seems.

The venue is also home to Sunny Beach in the summer, where the people of Shanghai can go to sunbathe before they go for a pricy cocktail at one of the many bars on site (Rico Rico, Nova Bar, 66 Art etc.).